23 Best Things To Do in Barcelona

Barcelona is a colourful city, full of life and unique for its architecture, gastronomy and nightlife. Gothic and modernism go hand in hand to form the iconic aesthetic of this almost permanently sunlit city, making it a top tourist destination. Here's a list of the 21 best things to see and do in Barcelona:

The jewel in the crown of Spanish architecture and, of course, one of the top 10 monuments in Barcelona and a must-see. Its impressive façades will leave you open-mouthed, and are just a taste of what you'll see inside, which will give you the sensation of having been transported to a place out of this world. Here are some options to visit it:

• Tickets for the Sagrada Familia, from RM160.
• Tickets for the SagradaFamilia with access to a tower, from RM221.
• Savings pack: Tour of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, from RM419.
• Guided tour of the Sagrada Familia, from RM243.
• Guided tour of the Sagrada Familia with access to the tower, from RM339.
• Guided tour without queues to the Sagrada Familia, from RM259.

Also, I recommend you to read my article on how to buy your tickets online for the Sagrada Familia, a must if you don't want to waste the day waiting in line. I also recommend going early or late, and whatever you do, avoid 10am as this is the key time for most guided tours in Barcelona. I also leave you this post with more information about the Sagrada Familia opening hours.

The iconic space designed by Gaudí is the place to lose yourself with views of Barcelona in the background, as you discover a whole host of plastic forms such as sculptures, benches and towers covered in the artist's signature tile mosaics. A guided tour of Park Güell will ensure you don't miss any of Gaudí's architectural and sculptural wonders.

If you visit Park Güell in the afternoon, afterwards you can go and watch the sunset at the Bunkers del Carmel, a viewpoint near the park that is very popular with the locals. It will be helpful to read the posts about Park Güell prices and opening times before your visit.

Are you up for a visit? Here are some options:

• Tickets for the Palau Güell in Barcelona, from RM57.
• Tour of Park Güell, from RM122.
• Guided tour of Park Güell, from RM116.
• Offer: Guided tour of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia, from RM429.

The most important building in Gaudí's oeuvre after the Sagrada Familia, being a torrent of creativity from the foundations to its impressive rooftop.

Taking a guided tour of La Pedrera is one of the best things to do in Barcelona, a perfect complement to the rest of the architect's works in Barcelona and is a good starting point from which to begin exploring the Eixample neighbourhood.

You can visit and see the inside of La Pedrera at night, which is a highly recommended experience as it's less crowded and the rooftop is stunningly lit. But there are also other options available:

• Tickets for La Pedrera (Casa Milà) in Barcelona, from RM132
• Night experience at La Pedrera, from RM184.

Because of its location almost adjacent to La Pedrera, it is a visit that is included in many tourist itineraries. Although it is not a must-see attraction, it can be for you if you are passionate about Gaudí's architecture and want to discover all his main buildings in the city of Barcelona. Do you know the options available?

• Tickets for Casa Batlló, from RM165.
• Premium tickets for Casa Batlló, from RM212.

Organise your visit to Casa Batlló after La Pedrera, as they are very close and you'll get the most out of your visit. In fact, you can buy combined tickets for both monuments or take one of Gaudí's guided tours of Barcelona to make sure you don't miss anything.

If you live for football and even more so if you are an FC Barcelona fan, don't miss the Camp Nou Experience where you can tour the stadium, access the pitch, the changing rooms and the press room and also visit the club's museum, where you can remember the great moments of its history and enjoy a space dedicated to Leo Messi.

It is very important to check the stadium opening hours and whether it will be open to the public on the day you want to visit, as during match days you may not be able to enjoy the experience. However, if you prefer to enjoy the Camp Nou in all its splendour, book your ticket to the Camp Nou.

Taking a trip to Figueras and visiting the Dalí Museum is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Barcelona. The main attraction of the excursion is, of course, the Dalí Museum, designed by the artist himself in a former theatre and exhibition venue that houses Dalí's best works along with interesting installations and a collection of jewellery created by the surrealist master.

There is more to Figueras than just the Dalí Museum. Make the most of your trip to the city with other visits to points of interest such as the Toy Museum and the Fortress of Sant Ferran. Undoubtedly, one of the most recommended excursions to do from Barcelona.

If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, you will love visiting Girona from Barcelona. You'll be able to see real places used as filming locations for the sixth season, such as the Arab Baths and the Pujada de Sant Domènech. You'll feel like you're inside the city of Braavos, and you'll also be able to explore a beautiful city where medieval architecture still survives.

As night falls, the stairs of San Martín (on the Pujada de Sant Domènech) take on a special lighting and become a beautiful spot to linger for a while or have your photo taken. It's very easy to get to Girona from Barcelona, here's how.

Barcelona's holy mountain is a place of pilgrimage for believers and atheists alike, for its impressive monastery on the heights from which you can enjoy spectacular views of Barcelona. On a guided excursion to Montserrat you can go hiking, discover an art museum with works by leading Catalan artists and pay a visit to La Moreneta, a 12th century carving of the Virgin Mary.

My advice is to try to visit Montserrat Monastery during the week and from 12.30pm, as you will be able to see La Moreneta and the Escolania choir live. If you're going on your own, check out our post on how to get to Montserrat from Barcelona. And if you want to book an excursion, here are some options:

• Excursion to the Monastery of Montserrat, from RM278.
• Excursion to the Monastery of Montserrat with a visit to a winery, from RM381.
• Excursion to Montserrat, Girona and the Costa Brava, from RM463.
• Excursion to the Monastery of Montserrat with horseback riding, from RM457.

The medieval heritage of the villages of Vic, Rupit, Pals and Calella de Palafrugell, among others, make a visit to the villages of the Costa Brava from Barcelona a very interesting excursion, where you can also enjoy the waters of the Mediterranean Sea while discovering the remains of walls, towers and other buildings from the Romanesque period.

By the way, Vic has one of the most beautiful medieval markets in Spain, and it is held during the Constitution Bank Holiday weekend in December. If you're in Barcelona that weekend, don't think twice before visiting the town.

If you like the plan, take a look at the post Costa Brava excursions from Barcelona where you'll find more ideas to spend a great day in the countryside and escape from the city for a while to disconnect.

Touring Barcelona on a tourist bus is the most comfortable way to enjoy the city without getting too tired. Moreover, it is possible to combine the bus tour with a self-guided tour, which makes this experience one of the most interesting if you plan your tours and don't like the typical crowded tours for tourists.

A trick that few people know: you can use the tourist bus as a method of transport during your trip to Barcelona, so you can get even more out of your ticket.

If you want to explore the best museums in Barcelona, you have many options such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation or the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. All of these museums are included in the Barcelona Museum Pass. All these museums are included in the Barcelona Museum Pass.

Depending on what you particularly like, you can explore in detail the artistic work of some of the most outstanding Catalan painters or, if you are passionate about Picasso's art, discover his paintings from his youth, something not very common in most of the major museum collections.

If you are a museum culture lover and don't want to miss out on the city's 'latest craze', you must visit the recently opened Moco museum. Here you'll find works by such important artists as Andy Warhol, Banksy and Salvador Dalí.

You will pass through this central square in Barcelona during your tours, as it is the junction point between the historic centre and the more modern part of the city. Main streets such as Passeig de Gràcia and La Rambla start from this square.

Once you visit Plaça Catalunya it will be very easy to find your way around Barcelona, and around the square you can find several points of interest such as the Liceu Theatre, the Boqueria Market, the Palace of Catalan Music, and several shopping centres.

If you want to discover all of Gaudí's main buildings and constructions in one tour, I recommend you book a Gaudí tour of Barcelona to visit the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló in the company of an expert guide. If you're only in Barcelona for a short time or just want to enjoy the Gaudí experience in one cohesive tour, this is the tour for you.

Of course, there are many more buildings and works of Gaudí in Barcelona that are not part of the typical tourist tours. I recommend visiting the Güell Pavilions, Casa Vicens, and Casa Calvet on your own.

Cycling through the streets of Barcelona is a real pleasure thanks to its flat streets and orderly urban organisation. Without a doubt, it is one of the best ways to get around Barcelona. On a bike tour you can see almost the whole city in just a few hours, and it's an alternative experience to the typical crowded tours.

In addition to the many bike tours of Barcelona that you can find in the city, you can't miss out on other unique ways to discover all its secret spots: from boat rides to Segway tours, helicopter flights or the fabulous Barcelona cable car.

Known by the locals as the San José Market, among its stalls you can find fresh produce, places to have a beer and enjoy the local gastronomy in its purest form.

To visit the Boquería Market, it's best to go early in the morning. After the aperitif time (12 noon), it gets crowded and you might not enjoy a quiet experience tasting the local products. You may also be interested in one of the gastronomic tours in Barcelona.

In the heart of the city's historic centre, the Gothic Quarter is home to the impressive Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume, the Jewish quarter and some major museums. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, so I recommend you to take a walk around and get lost in its narrow streets or take one of the guided tours of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.

The antiques market in front of the Cathedral takes place every Thursday from 10 am, where you can find a much more genuine souvenir than in any shop. Also, I leave you a post with the 10 things to see and do in the old town of Barcelona for you to continue the tour.

One of the most popular viewpoints to enjoy the sunset over Barcelona. You can walk or take the cable car up to Montjuïc Castle, and be amazed by the spectacle of the Magic Fountain in front of the National Art Museum of Catalonia. A great way to end a day of sightseeing in the city.

If you have time to spare, I recommend a day trip to Montjuïc and visit all its points of interest, including the Olympic Stadium, the CaixaForum, the Montjuïc Botanical Garden, the Joan Miró Foundation and, of course, the Castle. All these points of interest are among the best things to see and do in Montjuic.

Booking tickets for the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and visiting this emblem of Art Nouveau architecture is an absolute must, especially if you are a music lover, because it is a place of worship for Catalan and choral music; and, above all, if you are passionate about architecture, because it is one of the most illustrious works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the greatest representative of Catalan Modernisme.

This music auditorium is located in La Ribera de Barcelona and was built between 1905 and 1908. In 1997 it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Here is a post with all the information on how to visit the Palau de la Música in Barcelona.

In addition, if you book your tickets you will have an audio guide at your disposal that will show you all the curiosities of the different rooms of the palace, its history and numerous anecdotes.

To take a break from all the sightseeing, what better than to go to the city's amusement park and let off some adrenaline or just take a walk and enjoy the best views of Barcelona from Tibidabo. You can visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park free of charge, which will give you access to the Panoramic Area to see the views of Barcelona (but you won't be able to go on any of the rides).

If you're attracted to thrills, you can take a trip to Port Aventura from Barcelona to make this experience unforgettable. If you are travelling to Barcelona with children this is one of the top 10 excursions near Barcelona to go with children. There are attractions for all ages, but for sure the 'Dragon Khan' won't resist you. Here is more information on how to get from Barcelona to Port Aventura and how to get tickets to Port Aventura.

Other plans with children that may interest you are visiting the Aquarium or the Barcelona Zoo. Be sure to read the posts in which I tell you how to get tickets to the Aquarium and its prices. And also about tickets for the zoo.

Perhaps not many tourists know this, but Barcelona is one of the great capitals of flamenco in Spain, along with Madrid and Andalusia. Barcelona is home to some of the country's most emblematic tablaos, where legendary flamenco artists such as Camarón de la Isla, Carmen Amaya, Tomatito and Farruco have performed.

Attending a flamenco show in Barcelona is the perfect way to round off a memorable holiday in the city. It is also part of Spanish culture and folklore. That's why Unesco recognised it as Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

If you want to spend an unforgettable night in Barcelona watching a live music and dance show, between clapping, guitars and good vibes, I recommend you immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere and the magic of the flamenco "tablaos". To find out more don't miss the post Flamenco shows in Barcelona where you will find some of the best ones to see at the moment:

• Flamenco show at Los Tarantos in Barcelona.
• Gran Gala Flamenco Show in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show at Palau Dalmases in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show atthe City Hall Theatre in Barcelona.
• Flamencoshow at the Tablao Cordobés in Barcelona.
• Flamenco show atthe Tablao de Carmen in Barcelona.

Before Park Güell was opened for public enjoyment, this was the big park where the locals went to hang out. It was designed with the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris as a reference and was used as the site of the 1888 International Exhibition, which was accessed through the Arc de Triomphe. Today, it is a great place to stroll around and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Finally, I suggest an alternative to Barceloneta, the Mar Bella beach. If you want to get away from the tourist and local crowds, the rubbish and street vendors, Mar Bella beach is a little quieter and less touristy, although it is still a city beach.

There is a general area, a nudist area and an LGTBQ area on Mar Bella beach, so depending on your preferences you can choose to wear a swimming costume or not.

It's already clear that you're going to travel to Barcelona soon and even more so knowing all the plans that this wonderful city has to offer. First of all, find out all the details about transfers between the airport and Barcelona and check out the best Barcelona sightseeing passes. And then, think about the best time of the year to go. Here are some guides with the best things to do at different times of the year:

• 10 things to do in winter in Barcelona.
• 10 things todo in summer in Barcelona.
• 10 things todo in spring in Barcelona.
• 10 things todo in autumn in Barcelona.

Another option is to get to know the city at Christmas, a very special time when Barcelona also offers great plans.

In addition, our website has a month-by-month guide to help you get the most out of Barcelona:

• 10 things to see and do in Barcelona in January.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in February.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in March.
• 10 things to see and do inBarcelona in June.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in July.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in August.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in September.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in October.
• 10 things to see and do inBarcelona in November.
• 10 things tosee and do in Barcelona in December.

You can also check out the plans for key dates or festivities such as:

• 10 things to see and do at Easter in Barcelona.

And if you're wondering how to fit Barcelona's many attractions into your travel plan, be sure to read these posts:

• What to see and do in Barcelona in 1 day.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 2 days.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 3 days.
• What to see and do in Barcelona in 4 days.